What prompted the decision to establish an ethnic party?The country needs a mainstream political party that gives voice to all ethnic and indigenous groups. The dissolution of the CA showed how little the top three parties care about our needs. This is why we want a political party that accommodates people from all communities so that mainstream parties accept our collective agenda. However, I don't agree on having a party that only represents a single group. It's not practical.

It seems like every ethnic group wants to start its own party. Don't you think this will destroy national harmony?Like I said, I don't believe in a party based on singular identity. The only way we can take the country forward is by recognising and celebrating our diverse languages, cultures and people. Since many organisations are already working to address the demands of various ethnic groups, a political party for each group is not necessary.

If there was no demand for ethnic federal states, why were the proposed names based on ethnic groups?The fear of sharing power made certain leaders uncomfortable. They spread lies about states based on single ethnicity, and used it as an excuse to dash all hopes of a federal Nepal. That was never our demand.All we wanted was an inclusive federal structure where we could assert our ethnic, linguistic and cultural identities and where we would be treated equally.

Where is the indigenous movement headed towards?The cultural and social agendas raised by indigenous groups since 2007 has now become a political agenda. If the political parties fail to address them, then the country cannot progress.